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Moxie Memorizers

Friday, April 01, 2011 ::

In college when I first started memorizing scripture I didn't know where to start. I definitely had a few favorite verses that I wanted to commit to memory, but after that I was kind of overwhelmed. The Bible is a humongous book with full of truths worthy of memory space. I developed a system of writing references from books I studied at the back of my journal that I desired to memorize. The back flap of my current journal has a list of verses I hope to intake as soon as possible. But do you know what the most helpful kickstart to my scripture memory journey was? People sharing verses that were important to them. I soaked it up. An upperclassman would share a passage and I would pounce on it like a baby kitten. It happened over and over. Many of you have heard me talk about my college zealousness. At the most intense time of my memory discipline, I was taking in one to four verses every day. I would hear a verse, write it on a little white card (I always carried extra with me), and then put it straight into my heart and mind. I'm telling you, transformation happened through the Word of God without me even really knowing how deep his truths were going. I'm so thankful God allowed me such a sweet season of memory capacity. These days I'm thankful to remember a verse a week, but I'm not complaining... just persevering!

With all that said, I've heard some of you wondering what you should memorize. I hope that you are drawing passages out of whatever you are studying. I truly hope that some of you will take on memorizing whole chapters. I also want to help and give a few ideas of gems that give me support on a regular basis. Here are a few treasures that encourage me, kick me in the pants, or remind me of my love for Jesus.

Proverbs 12:16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

Proverbs 10:19 When words are many sin is not absent, but he (she) who holds his tongue is wise.

Ps 62:1-2 My soul finds rest in God alone. My salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress. I will not be shaken.

Josh 1:8 Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth, but meditate on it night and day so that you will be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Acts 3:19 Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Ok. Ok. I could go on and on. These just popped into my head right now. Oh I LOVE God's Word!! I will try and remember to share some of my favorites on the Moxie Memorizers posts in the months to come. Feel free to put them into your memory, but be sure to read the passages they come out of so that you know the context from which they came.

Like I've shared before I'm working on Psalm 130. I'm getting antsy so I'm going to try and finish it by April 15th. I've got verses one through five down, and six looks pretty easy.

Psalm 130:7-8 O Israel put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love, and with Him is FULL redemption. He himself with redeem Israel from all their sins.

FULL redemption. I absolutely love that. I need his redemption, and I'm so thankful his love to me never ever fails.

Please share your verses, friends! Praying for all of you this beautiful April 1st morning, that you would know his new mercies and great faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:22-23)

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important comments so far. What are your thoughts?

I am going to memorize a passage but I am going to do it in chunks. I'm not sure how long it will take me because truthfully I'm a little behind in my memorizing. Right now I'm just going to focus on one verse. Chad read this a few Sundays ago and right away I made a note to memorize it.

"32If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, What benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father as merciful."

I was ready for you this month Angel! I have been filling out my memory cards for verses I want to memorize as I find them. I couldn't decide between two of them, and since neither is very long, I'm going to do both.

Ephesians 4:29 ESVLet no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.

Psalm 51:17 ESVThe sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

I love the end of that first one. How often does my talk give grace to those who hear? I can't say for sure, but I'm sure much less than I would like. I need that one IN me. The other one I thought fits where I'm at while I'm going on a journey with God about repentance and brokenness. Happy April!

I've been doing this over at LPM, but maybe I will join you here too. My theme this year has been "harvest."

James 3:17-18 ESVBut the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

I'm so excited about my journey through the book of Jeremiah. Last week I came across a verse that Jeremiah was speaking. It's about his desire to share the word of God with a people who will not listen. I am memorizing this verse cuz it's so rich. God's word is like a fire in my bones and I long to live it!

Jer. 20:9 But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak his name," his word in my heart is like a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

The second verse I've been working on is:Psalm 31:14-15aBut I trust in you, O Lord. I will say, "you are my God. My times are in your hands."

This verse has become so important in my life lately because there are so many desires in my heart that I know are from Jesus. I really want to get married and have a family some day. I really desire to help other women that have experienced trauma in their life. And I know God is working out these things, and building my character to be more like his. My times are in His hands and I will be strong and wait upon my God.

This last month was a little crazy, so I am going to keep memorizing the verse I picked a few weeks ago. I think I still have more to learn from it, so once again :)

Proverbs 31:25-26 (NIV)She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue

PS-It seems like we are all suffering from time crunches and crazy lives. I am really encouraged that we all continue to be graceful with ourselves but still disciplined in memorizing. I love you Moxie ladies :)

I must confess I haven't been so great about memorizing my verses so I will continue on mine from a couple of weeks ago. It so happens that this verse fits well with all God has placed in front of me and it gives me comfort to know He does know the plan for me and I will continue to call upon him and pray. I'm in constant awe of how sovereign God is!!

Jeremiah 29: 11-12 (ESV)For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare not evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come pray to me and I will hear you.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a hold nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV

I took you from the ends of the earth, from the farthest corners I called you. I said, "you are my servant"; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:9-10

I have been following along on your blog quite often and am encouraged by what you share, Angel. I am also encouraged by all the verses that you all are learning. It has challenged me to start memorizing again. I really had a hard time memorizing on my own, but when you all started this up, it really built up my desire and I have found it to get easier all the time. I have been working on several each month. Thank you all for your inspiration!

I am currently working on Psalm 16:7-9, 11.(NKJV) "I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. You will show me th e path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

I have also challenged my Bible study ladies to memorize for the last two months. They wanted me to choose one, I told them only if they chose one of their own that God is speaking to them. Here is the one that we are learning as a group. Romans 6:11 (NKJV) "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our pastor encouraged us to do what this verse says daily. I find it refreshing to do so at the start of each day!

I haven't been memorizing scripture lately...and Angela wonderfully pointed out that it left me weaponless! Now I'm ready to get back into battle!

proverbs 2:1-6... 1My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 3:5-6 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

Each time the beginning of the month comes up, a passage from my study stands out as a life-changing truth.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the Word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

Some words that stand out: ALWAYS leads us triumphantly; HE spreads his fragrance though us; and WHO IS EQUAL to such a task? But we can speak with SINCERITY because we ARE sent from God.